Our Throwaway SocietyIt always amazes me how much other people throw away. I did not grow up with much, and I always took very good care of whatever I had, as I knew my parents worked very hard for it. I thought I set an excellent example for my children, until the other day.
Use Coffee Grounds as Pin Cushion FillingHere is yet another way to recycle up your used coffee grounds. Fill a pin cushion with them! Use cute scraps of fabric and simply sew together right sides together leaving a small space open.
Begin The New Year with Something You LoveMany people make New Years promises, as I call them, only to find them failed by the next few months. I don't do those for one reason. Many promises begin with the promise to fail. I started learning that you have to find something you love in order to make it with joy.
Peppermint Oil to the RescueI found myself using my peppermint oil 4 times this holiday season.
Juice Containers to Fill Empty Freezer SpaceWe drink cranberry juice. To fill in the empty spaces and build up the bottom of our chest freezer, I freeze water in the 64 ounce cranberry juice containers. They lay flat and fit perfectly between the dividers. This helps to keep the freezer full.
Refreshing Wipes and Keeping Them MoistWet wipes are just as great for personal adult use as they are for babies. I buy them initially in a container, and then refill the container with the refill packets.
What You Can Buy for 21 DollarsWhat You Can Buy for 21 Dollars. Living on next to nothing is what I do on a daily basis, so when I get 21 dollars from a paycheck, you can believe I am frugal with it. This is my tip for you on what to do with 21 dollars.
Reuse Glass Candle Holders As GlassesI found that once a candle, for example, Glade, has been used and there is the left over amount of wax in the glass, that they can be used as nice drinking glasses for orange juice or even that evening mixed drink with ice.
Shop Thrift Stores in JanuaryShop in January for fantastic deals. People unload new, unwanted Christmas gifts, and older models of items they have upgraded. Also, people take advantage of the charitable contribution tax donation by donating by December 31.
Reuse Your Dehumidifier's WaterI've always hated to throw away the water I accumulate daily in my dehumidifier. I water outdoor plants with it. I'm sure my neighbors think I have a strange watering can, but I think this is the best way to recycle this free water.
You May Be Eligible for Food StampsApply for food stamps in your state. I thought I wouldn't get them, but surprise, I was eligible. There is no disgrace in getting help when you need it. Be brave and just go apply.
Push Wax Down Sides of CandleEliminate the waste of any soy candle that may be stuck to the walls of a jar, burning all of it, not just 80%. Some candles do not do this and burn all the way down, but it has to do with the size of the wick.
Extended Use for PensFor ink pens that won't write; place the pens upside down in a cup of hot water until the water cools off. Wipe dry and use.
Freeze Canned BiscuitsI found out just today that you can freeze the biscuits-in-a-can! Find a sale, stock up, and throw them in the freezer. You can either let the can thaw out, pop it open and then bake the biscuits or (frozen cans will NOT pop) pry the frozen biscuits out of the can and bake them.
Place to Donate Campbell's Soup Labels and MoreMy mother has kept the labels off of Campbell soup cans for months. She would send them somewhere to help out needy children on an Indian reservation. This last time she collected all her labels together, she discovered she lost the address to send them to.
Use Tall Laundry Hampers as Trash CansTall laundry hampers are about half the price of kitchen size trash cans. You can get them for as little as $5 at Deals!, Family Dollar, and Dollar General and they hold a kitchen size trash bag nicely.
Stretching My Meager DollarsI am a single mother of two kids. The income I have comes from what little I make from my full time job, my job working in my church's nursery on Sundays, and Child Support for my oldest. I am constantly learning new ways to stretch my meager dollars.
Reuse Unpostmarked StampsPostage stamps that have not been marked with the date due to machinery error can be reused. Pay attention to the mail you get and start cutting off the stamps you can reuse.
Use Warm Oven to Dry Pots and PansWhen you have used your oven for cooking or baking and have pots and pans that have to be hand washed, place them upside down on the rack in the warm oven to dry. Do not forget to remove them before you preheat the oven.
Media Case Used To Store Art SuppliesUse an old DVD case as a child's colouring case. Just decorate it and make a little pocket inside with either paper or fabric to hold pencils or markers. You can also turn one into a make-up case to hold liners, lip gloss, and mascara.
Turn Boxes Inside Out for ShippingThe holidays are upon us, and you will no doubt want to send things to loved ones through the mail. Some of the best boxes to ship in are illegal to use: bleach, alcohol, paint, etc. So, here is how to use them if you need them.
Paying with Coins at Self-Check OutMy purse was feeling a little heavier than usual today. Instead of swiping my card first, I decided to toss all my coins from my purse at self-check out. I was shocked I had about $3 in miscellaneous change! I don't know why I didn't do this any sooner.
Make Wiping Squares to Save on TPWith 9 in the family, I wasn't overly concerned that we went through a whole roll of toilet paper until I saw what my 4 year old left on the floor. To borrow the words of Glenn Beck "It made blood want to shoot out of my eyes.
Uses for Old Bangle BraceletsI've used old bangle bracelets (plastic and the types that clip) for many uses. It seems these bracelets wind up being given away by many who don't seem to wear them anymore.
Repurpose Water From WasherLiving in a dry climate, I have found ways to recycle my water. It takes a lot of work, I'm not saying it's easy. Do you ever consider how much water your washer uses per load? Wash then rinse. With water rates increasing; I've found a way to use the water from my washer.
Watch For Faulty Surge Protector When ChargingMy phone died a slow death. The battery melted the casing, and the battery was too old to be replaced. When I replaced it, the whole phone, darn it, and charged up the new phone, I realized it was blazing hot! Even the wall adapter was hot. At first, I thought it was the wall adapter, tossed it, was too cheap. No, it was the bad surge protector. It was free to me, which probably meant it wasn't supposed to be used in the first place, oops. Well, I was penny wise and dollar foolish. Check your adapters. If they're hot, check what's causing that. I had to buy a NEW phone, gosh! Yes, I also bought a new case for it. Sue me for free, lol.
Good Use of Speaker PhoneMany times I make an important phone call and I'm put on hold. This can be very annoying and take up a lot of time. I'm probably the last person to realize this, however, I have started putting these calls on the speaker.
Make Calendar Hanging EasierI take my calendar down a lot to write on and also to look back. The hole in the calendar for hanging is so small. This past year, using a hole punch, I punched a larger hole in it. With the larger hole, it makes taking it down and hanging it back up much easier. I have done the same with my 2023 calendar.
Check Your Neighborhood Facebook Group to Get Help During ChristmasFacebook has a bunch of groups that give away free things. If you do a search in the Facebook search bar look for; freecycle near me, or buy nothing near me. Depending on where you live there may even be a buy/swap group for parents to give/sell kids' clothes, toys, etc. In these types of groups, I have often found many generous people that are willing to help their neighbors in need or also give advice on where to get help locally.
Political Signs Make Great Knee PadsPolitical signs make great knee pads!! Let's get them off the roadsides and keep them out of the landfills. Thirty days after election day, they become litter.
I'm a coffee drinker so when I go to Starbucks, it's often to get a drip coffee. I ordered this one day and the man behind me in line turned to his wife and said, "See, you can just order coffee." Black coffee drinkers definitely save money at Starbucks but there are some strategies that can make your Lattes and Frappuccinos less expensive too.
Pay Attention to the Price TagsNormally do you purchase your home air filter as needed or in bulk? At Home Depot, if you stop and look at the second set of numbers - it only makes sense to buy in bulk!
Ice Water To GoEverywhere I look, I see people sipping water from a plastic bottle. I don't think they're that thirsty or hot. I think they're just trying to stay hydrated. I suppose that's a good thing.
Save on Eating OutWith rising food costs, every bit of savings when it comes to eating out is a win. A great tip for shaving off a few dollars on your next meal in (or out) is combining the savings from purchasing a discounted gift card from one of the gift card reseller sites and bundling the savings from that with a promo code/coupon. To avoid having to hunt for an active code, take advantage of browser extensions such as Honey which you'll need to download or the built in version on the Microsoft Edge browser. Using a discounted gift card with a promo code is a great way to save, especially if you have large orders.
How to Dispose of Mailing LabelsThis is a tip for those that don't put their name and address in the trash. We get lots of free mailing labels in the mail. When I have an excess, I pull them off, a bunch at the time, and roll them up sticky side out. The name and address are hidden, and they are ready to go in the trash. I think it would be almost impossible to get them untangled.
Keep Pinback Buttons SecureUse a rubber or silicone earring back! When you pin the button onto your item, place one on the pinback, just ahead of where it closes. This way, the buttons can't slip off and stay secure!
Giving Flowers the Cheaper WayI went on a spree a while back giving flowers until I saw the bill all added up. Then a friend's sibling died, and my heart broke. Then I thought, hey, what do they deliver? At Walmart, they do have live roses as well as seeds. I don't know if seeds would say what I meant, but a live shrub cost $15.17, including tax and shipping. Please do not ask me what those other jokers charged, even with "free shipping" for a year. Delivery people don't even come to the house anymore.
Life of a Sighted Care GiverI enjoyed sharing Ms Cordell's article's concerning the blind with my blind man. The other side of the coin is the care giver. I have been one for 17 years. Oh my what a re-teaching on my perspective of sight.
Recycling Plastic Lids And Small Spray BottlesI'm always looking for ways to recycle and have found that some plastic lids like a coffee can lid or a raisin lid will fit over some bowls. I also save small spray bottles, which work well to put hair spray, cleaner, or other liquids in when traveling.
Righty Tighty, Lefty LooseyWhen you get old like me, I hope it's not unusual to have a senior moment and feel really stupid sometimes.
Uses for Plastic Coffee ContainersI give used plastic coffee containers to new mothers and dads. They can use the coffee containers for holding clean diapers and another can for soiled diapers. This is very helpful when traveling, visiting, etc. The containers can also carry pacifiers, wipies, onsies, etc. Just put them in a small basket with labels on them. This saves a lot of space when visiting and or traveling.
Giving Household Items Within Your CommunityI am active in my local Buy Nothing group, where members gift furniture, clothing and other useful items to people in their local area. It is run on a Facebook page for my neighborhood, an area is a mile or so wide, bounded by the major streets. There are several different Buy Nothing neighborhoods in my city. This allows the members to be sure they are giving and receiving to their own neighbors, making pickups easy and bringing local communities together.
Check Warranty If TV Is Not WorkingWe were gifted this TV and so when the TV started experiencing some issues (ex: not turning on properly, the display would go be blank/black) we just unplugged and set it aside. While cleaning out the garage and planning to recycle this, I decided to check the manufactures date. (You can locate the manufactures date on the back of your tv by the serial number). The date was October 2020 and most TV manufactures last 1 year so I decided to reach out to the company, which was Philips.
Take Toilet Paper From Hotel RoomMy frugal tip is always take the toilet paper and kleenex with you from your room when you check out of your hotel when traveling. You paid for those. They are figured into your price you paid for the room. You never know when you may need it,for example the next rest area or a little ones runny nose.
Use Junk Mail For Scratch PaperWe receive a lot of junk mail. Instead of putting it in the trash, I go through it and tear off anything that would identify us and save the blank parts for scratch paper. The remainder goes in the paper recycling container.
Save Fast Food ReceiptsNormally when we occasionally stop by a fast food restaurant we used to discard or leave behind our receipts but now I keep mine in my car. If I end up stopping by some other day, I will first check the receipts and see if they offer a buy one get one item (often a sandwich!) at the bottom of the receipt for sharing about my visit online. I will THEN go online and answer their questions then get the code to use that receipt for a BOGO immediately afterward!
Making Use of Old SmartphoneLast year I upgraded my smartphone because it was my last chance to get a "tripling" phone from Tracfone before they were to be forever phased out. My old phone wasn't really that old and worked fine. Instead of tossing it, i made it into a mini tablet.
Surviving a ScamI just read the article about viruses in your computer. I would like to address it formally. Yes, there are viruses but in the last 10 to 15 years, there are also little green men also known as scammers who troll the internet looking for a victim. I have been receiving what I thought were a lot of calls from unknown callers out of USA, up to 4 per day. I have since found out people are getting more than 10 calls per day from this type of person. This type person is a scammer.
Staple Remover to Open Key RingWhen adding a key to your key chain, a staple remover works great for opening the key ring so you can insert the new key. No hassle.
Eagle Cam WatchingI just want to share the website for this eagle cam. There are 3 eaglets, still in the fuzzy stage. It is thrilling to watch them grow and see how the mom and dad take such good care of them.
Save Money on SoapWhen a cake of soap wears down to a small piece, don't throw it away. Lather up the new cake of soap and the small piece of soap and while they are wet, press the two together. Set aside to dry overnight. The small piece will adhere to the large piece and it does not get wasted. After a few uses, your piggyback soap is barely noticeable.
Walk Safely on Slippery AreasWhen dealing with ice or any type of slippery areas, just remember rubber bands. Take some rubber bands and place them around your shoes from the toes to the heels. Just make sure they're snug but not cutting off circulation. When you walk, the rubber bands will give you extra traction on any surface. I personally keep some wide rubber bands around when ice forms on my driveway or sidewalk.
Orange Juice Bottle VaseHere is a way to repurpose an orange juice bottle into a vase and bouquet holder. Cut the top of the bottle off about 4 inches or so depending on the size of the bottle. Once cut turn it around life a funnel and insert the flower stems as indicated. It helps the flowers spread out while still being held firmly. Place flowers on top of the vase and enjoy their fragrance ! :)
Take Advantage of Post Holiday DiscountsBesides shopping for cards, ribbons and wrap after Christmas at steep discount, think about other things you might want to seek out for next year. Now is the time to look around (when your house is still in full Christmas mode). How is that artificial tree looking? A little bedraggled? Table linens? Ornaments? All of that stuff will be at a 50 to 90 percent discount, usually starting on 12/26.
Reusing an Upright Tissue HolderI know I have submitted a tip before about using a flat holder and a plastic canvas holder for other things, but this one is cool, too.
New Uses for Old Hair ClipsI recently went short on my hair. At 65, it was time. So that left me with some clips I no longer needed. I usually donate them but before I did, I thought of some ways to use them for things other than hair.
Enter Contests to Win PrizesI enter many contests and sometimes I win, like today. You probably will not get rich, but you will get little treats that stretch your budget and feel pampered.
Get Last Bit of ToothpasteI use Biotene toothpaste and it is not cheap. When it gets down to where it's hard to squeeze out of the tube, I cut the end of the tube off. This makes the toothpaste, that is left in the tube, easy to dip out and enables me to get every smidget of tooth paste out of the tube. To keep it fresh, I fold the open end over and put a clamp on it. By doing this, I can get 10-12 more brushings out of the tube of toothpaste.
Save That LotionRather than throw out a lotion bottle that still has plenty of lotion, but won't pump, here is a simple way to save the bottom lotion. Simply cut the bottle and pump tube in half. Place the top half over the bottom half and pump away! :)
Free Return Address Labels and Packing FillAn easy, cheap, and frugal way to save money is to cut your name and address out of junk mail then shred the junk mail to use as packing material when shipping. Cutting your name and address out of medicine bottles labels is another way to save money and reduce paper consumption for return address labels.
Keep Glasses from Slipping Off Neck ChainMy new glasses frames are thinner so they kept slipping out of the glasses necklace when I hung them on from my neck. I tried painting the sides of the frames with a little streak of rubber cement along the length. It's clear, so it's unseen and it won't distort nor damage the new frames but it gives the thin smooth frames some "grip" to restrict the chain necklace from slipping off and dropping my new glasses!
Recycled Vinegar Bottle as VaseMore and more foods seem to come in plastic containers or wrapping, but I noticed that our recently empty vinegar bottle was a lovely shape and made out of glass.
Using Sturdy Head Bands Instead of Rubber BandsI can't afford good rubber bands. And if I had a nickel for every time the ones I had broke just when I needed them . . .
Fire TV App as RemoteFor some reason our Amazon fire stick remote stopped working. I changed the batteries several times and tried troubleshooting before thinking of purchasing a remote replacement. Guess what? A remote replacement is almost the same price as purchasing a new Amazon fire stick with remote.
Again with the LidsThe local squrrels love the birdseed I have on the back porch. So much so that they ate into the lid! So, I swapped out the containers, using a metal can with a metal lid.
Hanging a Security Camera Without DamageThis is a tip I came up with when my kids gave me a security camera to put outside. I live in a townhome governed by HOA rules. One of the rules is "no piercing of any exterior siding".
Toothbrush Holder for Desk SuppliesWe had a few of these toothbrush holders laying around. I was planning on donating them to Goodwill, but in my hunt for something to hold desk supplies I realized that these would be perfect. I am able to separate different items, making it easy to grab just what I want.
Keeping a Flashlight CloseWhen services can be interrupted, it's scary to not be able to see what you are doing. In Dec of 2018, my senior community lost power from 1am to 11am. We were cold and without a way to even have a coffee. Too many of us are in that stage where we fall easy enough in the daytime.
Reuse Jugs for Dry FoodsThoroughly clean out and dry your milk and juice jugs for reuse. They are great for storing dry food items things like rice, beans, and sugar. Label them and store them in any cool area in your house, even bedrooms or odd closets. Just be sure to label.
Get Outside and ExerciseSince our daughter retired and moved in with us, until her house next door is finished, we have enjoyed getting outside and walking together. In our community, we have some nice farm paths to walk. This has been fun and has kept my mind off the troubles of the world.
You Don't Have to Kneel to PrayIt was the first of May and the Smiths, our neighbors that live across the field from us, were going on vacation for a week and asked if we could care for their chickens while they were gone. They have a dozen or so and I love doing it. It's a good walk over to their place and the two of us enjoy the exercise together.
Reusing Sugar BagsWhen I put my 5 lb. bag of sugar in my storage bin I carefully clean it out, roll it up, and put 3 into a ziplock bag to use as freezer bags for my homemade sandwiches or cookies.
DIY Paper Towel Sheet Saver Using a Tissue BoxThis is a way to make your paper towel rolls last longer. Simply cut each sheet in half and place them into an empty tissue box.
Triple A Batteries to Save the DayHave you ever needed AA batteries but only have AAA on hand, don't worry. AAA will save the day, you can use them when your device requires double A. Simply fill in the gap with foil on the contact the positive terminal. So if you're ever in the store and forgot which one to get, go for the AAA.
Potato Hand WarmersPierce either a white or sweet potato a few times and microwave until cooked. You can wrap in aluminum foil and give it to your kids (or even adults) to put in their pockets or their gloved hands to serve as handwarmers when outside in the winter for a while.
Finding My SisterAfter the death of my dad, my mother invited me over for dinner, it was then she told me the story of how I was adopted and how they couldn't adopt my sister too because they had only planned to have one child, so they left my sister behind.
Reusing a Tissue HolderRecently, I found this stunning hand done plastic canvas tissue holder. It was the perfect style and color to my bathroom. However, because of the yarn work inside, the box of tissue didn't fit inside. What is a thrifty fun girl to do? She turns it upside down and uses it for her faux spring flowers!
Slip-proof Your Lap DeskI bought a lap desk the other day. It was in sorry shape, so I got it for $1.00. I came home, re-snapped the bean bag in one place, and cleaned it. It worked great until my plate almost slipped off!
Free Waxed PaperUse the waxed paper liners from cereal boxes instead of buying waxed paper. It is much stronger than the conventional waxed paper.
Securing a Roll of StampsSometimes when I pick up my roll of stamps, it falls apart and I have to wind it back up. I came up with a solution on how to keep it from happening again.
Welcome Gift to a New NeighborI live in a very nice complex. Saturday, a gentleman (bachelor) moved in across the hall from me. I ran into him in the hall and welcomed him, and answered some questions he had! I then came in and started baking! I made a banana bread and a batch of my chocolate chip cookies. While they were cooking, I got out a gift bag for his Welcome package.'
Door Stop AlarmOwning an alarm system can be pricey. For $10, you can help secure your home/family with this wireless door stopper.
Store Round Tea Pods in a Pringles CanI just got some Tetley Green Tea and when I opened the box, I discovered the bags were round. Makes sense really, if your cups are round, the bags can be, too. No strings, staples or paper hangers. I am in love.
Reselling Thrift Store FindsA few local thrift stores have special "senior" Tuesdays when they offer an additional 30% off store-wide to those of us "better than 50ish". I take advantage of the discount and if I find something which I can use, I am already in advantageous status with the percentage off and the resale vs. retail price.
Holidays Away From HomeWhen my son moved across the country, traveling back home each holiday became too expensive so we devised one solution that especially got us through his first Thanksgiving away. We set up our laptop on the table while we all ate our meal together on Skype with him and his significant other.
Reuse Bags Inside Cereal or Cracker BoxesThis is extremely strong and waterproof material with many possible uses. I store leftovers in them. Or open the seam and flatten to use in place of wax paper for wrapping sandwiches or lining piecrust for "blind-baking." Prevent splattering when reheating dishes in the microwave.
Refurbishing a Fire PitI was leaving church last Sunday and right around the corner I caught sight out of the corner of my eye, this square table. At least I thought it was a table. Well the young man that takes me to church said did you see that? Yes!'
Recycled Maxwell House Coffee CaddyMy neighbor gives me these and I use them for so many things! Food, crafts, and office supplies, oh my! Today it occurred to me to make them and share with you all.
Making A DifferenceIf you are ever feeling down, just stop what you're doing and help someone in need. Even if it's the littlest thing, like picking up a plastic bottle and putting it in the recycle bin, I promise you that you'll feel powerful, like you made a difference to the world.
Reusing Plastic JarsWe all recycle jars, bottles, cans, and boxes every single week and I'm always trying to think of a way to re-use these items around the house. I have found several uses for clear plastic mayo jars.
Uses For Windshield Sun ShadesI have found a couple of uses for windshield/windscreen shades you might like. They might save you a few pennies and could make your sleep time a bit more comfortable.
Life As I Knew ItI was so young when I used to dream of having a huge house built for my mother. She sacrificed so much for me that I want to return something good, such as a good life. We need not reach to achieve it, for the older I get, the deeper my realizations are.
Hanger Clip as Note HolderI have found another use for the clips that I cut off clothes racks. With the note being upright instead of laying flat on the table, it is more noticeable.
Alarm System for LessHaving an alarm system provides peace of mind in the comfort of your own home. After researching many alarm companies and getting quotes, I found that you will be charged an upfront fee for the cost of equipment and labor (which is from several hundreds to thousands) plus monthly fees with contract.
Buying Your First Car The Frugal WayIn my day, cars weren't as plentiful as they are today. To be sure, Ford, Hudson, Packard, and all the other makers could put a motor car in your possession the very day you were ready to buy one. Trouble was, not many people could afford to buy one.
Replacing a Lost Plastic CapWhen I find good gallon jugs in recycling, I often keep them to put water ahead, or mix weed killer or plant food. But sometimes, the caps are missing. Foil is a great stop gap but not a permanent solution.
Recycled Collapsible Water BottleThis is a collapsible storage bag used to store sugar cane blend sugar. The one I have shown here is a 24 oz. Truvia bag. It has a screw on lid which makes it airtight. These type of containers are being widely used to store sugar and other dry products and are so useful for so many other things.
Recycled Fruit Cups for Ice CubesI love the idea of upcycling, dont you? I have discovered a great use for those empty individual fruit cups or applesauce containers. They make great ice cubes! The cubes last twice as long and I love them. Just wash the empty containers and fill with water. The cubes simply fall out of the cups, so much easier than a traditional tray!
Keep Kindle Magnetic Clasp from Covering TextI read almost all my books on my Kindle Fire. I love how I can save space in my tiny apartment and enlarge the print size, scroll back and forth, etc. What I hated was the little stand clasp would fold forward and cover up some of the first line.
Reuse Spray Nozzle on BottlesI wanted to try a weed killer recipe and needed a spray bottle. But the dollar tree's were too small. So I bought the vinegar I needed and got a bottle at my local hardware store.
Ruler to the RescueI recently got a newish' bird feeder. I was trying to be careful pouring the seed into a funnel, then that overflowed. I had a lot of birdseed on my cutting board. I keep packaging supplies nearby and today just happened to have a ruler close. It occurred to me how much a straight edge might help.
Gratitude Not AttitudeGratitude, not attitude. Last week Lowes was giving away gift cards in denominations from $5 to $1500. As to be expected, most cards were $5, which is what I got. I saw some posts from people saying they "only" got $5. I felt it was $5 that I did not have before.
